New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-02
THE NEWS IN LONDON.
..1IsBI1RYs NEGOTIATIONS WITH HART
lNGTON FRUITLESS.

lNGTON. FRUITLESS.
.o,npANDoIP PHI CHURCHILL LIKELY TO RETURN IN
rp,uwpH-sERoUs EFFECTS OF THE STORM
PAINTINGS AND ETCHINGs-LIrERARf
NorEs-DULNEss AT THE THEATRES
NEW POSTAGE sTAMPs-LADy
COLIN CAMPBELL.
IBY CABLE 10 TIE rRIBUsE.I
LONDON. Jan. 1.-The New Year dawps upon us
in thick fog, atmospherical and political obscur
ity being about equal The only lamp which gives
much political light this morning Is Inc o''iu
nrd" That paper contains suficlenuy minute
account of the negotiations between Lord SALISBURY
and Lord Harrington, for which 1t vouches as au
thentic. It is time somebody did vouch for some
sbing The rumors in circulation during the week
have been remarkable for anything but authen
ticity or truthfulness. Perhaps nothing has ap
preached the inventive courage OF The Pan
Mail Gazette in printing what purported to be an
official account of the proceedings at the Caplnet
council. 1t is enough to say that there is no Of
ficial account of any Cabinet council No record
minute or note of any kind is kept even privately
Uhe same paper published not less fantastic mar
rative Of the terms on which Lord Randolph
Churchill would re enter the Ministry. His re-
entry is still matter for the future, but forescen
and the result of the conferences between Lord
Salisbury and Lord Harrington makes it more
probable if not inevitable.
Lord Hartingtons consultations with his Lib
eral Jnonist friends at Devonshirc House were
signalizcd by Mr.. Chamberlain's presence, appar-
enly in fun accord with his Whig leader No
difference of opinion is known to have arisen be-
tween the different sections of Lord Hartingtons
colleagues They unanimous against coali
tion at present in any shape with the existing
Ministry When Lord harrington visited Lord
Salisbury at the lattcr's house in Arlnstonst. he
was offered his choice between entering the Minis
Try as colleague or chief; the leadership of the
House Of Commons was formally proposed to him
and if that did not suit him Lord Salisbury would
resign TO him "our post lrimc Minister and
take Office under him. This latter arran 5emcnt
Lord Salisbury admitted was repugnant to por-
ton of the Tory party but he undertook to re-
duce the malcontents to order should Lord llar-
tington prefer that solution. The Tory leader,
however made it clear that the resignation Of the
Ministry as o whole formed no part of the present
proposal Lord Harrington would be at liberty TO
shuttle the cards pretty much as he liked, but the
pack would not be changed Lord Harrington S
answer was that he still thought the cause Of
union could be best served by his remaining out
of office. lie did not regard Lord Randolph
Churchill's retirement source Of serious danger
remark which indicates certain bluntness Of
POLITICAL pcrceItion. Should circumstances re-
qure it in future Lord Harrington profcssedhim
self willing TO form UniCnst Ministry. In such
case he would require free hand, or in other
words Lord Salisbury would be expected to place
his own and his colleagues designations in the
hands of Her Majesty. This last rather startling
announcement brought the negotiations to IN end.
"1he Standard" though exceedingly civil to Lord
Harrington, expresses some not unnatural resent
ment at his suggestion observing that Lord Sails
bury's resignation would be the most astounding
act of feebleness committed by public man
The proposal that Mr.. Goschen should enter the
Tory ranks is said to be under consideration The
Chancellorship of the Exchequer with or without
the Leadership of the House-for accounts vary
is at bis disposal, but his friends confidently ex
pect him to reject the offer There remains the
question of Lord Randolph Churchills return, as
TO which there is little to add to what have
,lready telegraphed this week. The opposition
from the fossil wing Of the party, whose fossilism
is best represented by "Ihe St. Janes's Gazette
grows more bitter the ultimate necessity grows
more obvious The scheme for making the re-
spectacle and excellent Mr.. w. IL. Smith leader
of the House of Commons is ridiculed by every.
body who knows what leading the House means.
Even "The Standard Is driven to fall back on
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach who made fairly good
leader with Lord Randolph Churchills support.
But Sir Michael Hicks Beach knows better than
anybody else what his prospects would be with
Lord Randolph Churchill on his flank whether as
an open foe or q candid friend.
"Tbe Nineteenth Century" for January con
tains besides Mr.. Gladstone's iubilont Jubilee
article two remarkable palers on Ireland. Mr.
John Norlcy's critical examination Of Professor
Diccy's "Case Against Home Rule deals rather
with the political than with the legal argument
though in the latter is the strength of Professor
Dicey's book. Mr.. Matthew Arnold discusses
. "Ihe Zenith of Conserv atism" in a spirit of
sympathy with Ireland, but with serene de
tachment Of mind which enables him TO look
forward with satisfaction to a long period of Con
scrvative Government
The tclegraphc breakdown which has lasted
since Sunday has been far more complete than
the Post Office authorities were willing to ac-
knowledge, but something like the real truth is
clo ndn fnI ~